Pattern Info
Pattern info for this project can be found here:
Custom Instructions
Custom Instructions
Instructions
Go to thrift stores on 'quarter days' and pick up 100% wool coats, jackets, blazers, skirts, scarves, etc. Make certain the labels say 100% wool or have the wool symbol. Cart them home in your van. Using a seam ripper or razor blade ripper, rip out all of the seams and hems of each item. Discard any parts that have ironed on interfacing, etc. such as collars, facings, cuffs, etc. Once this ...Read full instructions »
Difficulty:
Category: Other
Type of item: Home Decor
For: Home
Style: Retro / Vintage, Casual, Traditional, Eco-Friendly
Materials
100% repurposed wool from garments and blankets.
What was your inspiration?
I wanted to make a wool braided rug like my grandmother used to make. I also wanted to accomplish this in the way she did by 'repurposing' garments and blankets of 100% wool. There is no new wool in this rug.
What are you most proud of?
I am so happy to be able to continue an age old hand craft that results in a very useful and eco-friendly home decor item. I have saved all of the labels from all of the garments used, and will arrange them neatly on a matt and have them framed. They will be a part of the history and charm of the rug. I only used 100% wool fabrics. The three strand braid is 1"wide. The rug thickness is a @5/8" thick. As my grandmother would say, "You can never wear out a wool braided rug. They 'ugly out' before they 'wear out'." God bless my grandmother for teaching me so many wonderful craft disciplines.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
Get as many garments as possible. There will be quite a bit of waste, but the end result is so rewarding. I got my garments at the thrift stores for a quarter a piece. So far I have around $2.50 invested in wool. I want to make it much larger, so will have to go on another 'thrift store run' soon. A wonderful project . In years past our grandmothers braided rugs as far as they could go with the wool they had, tucked the ends under and used the rug on the floor until they got more wool, and then kept adding until it was completed. My grandmother had one that she worked on for 4 years. So it is a good project to pick up and put down and be able to use all the time. One last thing, because a braided rug is 'laced togeether' and NOT SEWN together, the rug is reversible. This attribute makes the rug a very desireable addition to the hom. Lacing is also makes assembly very fast and extremly strong. Basically the only tools you need is 2" rug strips, thread to sew the strips in one long strip of wool for each braid leg, large safety pins, a lacing tool (which can be made from a popsicle stick), and lacing cord (linen is best, but I also use hemp), and I also like to use beeswax to draw my lacing cord through to make it more waterproof, and to give strength to the cord.
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